LOUIS TRICHARDT – In the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary debacle the Makhado Municipality is ignoring its own long-term directives and displays a serious lack of responsible environmental management.

These views came to light during the Environmental Impact Assessment meeting held on Friday, February 21 in Louis Trichardt. The assessment meeting was arranged under the auspices of consultants appointed by the municipality.

Those present at the meeting unanimously rejected the municipality's intention to rezone the area on which the Tree Park is situated. The rezoning is to allow the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary to be abolished in favour of unspecified large-scale business development. They also expressed serious dissatisfaction with the municipality's general lack of transparency in the handling of their affairs.

Mr Ben van der Schyff of Planning Concept caused a stir at the meeting, when he announced that he received "written petitions in favour of the business development in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary, from a black man at the municipality." He could not say from whom or what the petition entails. The meeting seriously questioned the origin, source and validity of the said documents.

A representative of Bio8 Consultants, Mr Wilhelm Joubert, said the National Environmental Act prescribes that a local authority needs an Environmental Management Plan as well as an Environmental Implementing Plan, which the Makhado Municipality does not have.

"They have set no guidelines for themselves," he said.

Mr Joubert explained that his job is to identify the impact of the proposed development on the environment. He said he received well written and well thought through representations from residents, from the Department of Water Affairs, SAHRA and Environmental Affairs. He is the consultant and the facilitator. The proposed development is done according to the Environmental Act of 1989 and the new NEMA Act (National Environmental Act). It prescribes that a local authority needs an environmental management and an environmental implementing plan.

"I cannot do my work if the municipality does not provide me with alternatives for this development," he said.

Mr Thomas Maluleke from Environmental Affairs said it is a requirement of the Act that alternatives be looked at, identified and tabled. His Department need to comment on the Environmental, Economic and Social aspects of a development. They are required to be objective and non biased.

Mr Peter Menne of the Wildlife Society said the applicant has to motivate why he wants this development in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary. Me Sarah Venter said the need for this development has not even been established.

Mr Robert Rauch from the Chamber of Commerce said the Municipality handles the town's affairs in a secretive, non-consultative manner.

"They are always not listening and also not attending the Chamber's meetings, although two seats are reserved for them in order to explain and inform the Chamber of developments. In such meetings mutual understanding could be created, but the municipality chooses to ignore this line of communication too. It is the Chamber's duty to state the economic realities - everywhere in Louis Trichardt shops are standing empty. Development should take place where the zoning for such development is valid. Mrs Jana Smith, long time specialist in selling industrial erven, said that there are plenty erven with business zoning available for development."

Prof Dries Bester said Mr Joubert should find out the whole and true story around this development. He said the fact that archaeological artefacts could be found and the biodiversity of the area makes it into a very sensitive area.

Prof Bickup from the University of Venda said the authorities should listen to the wishes of the people at the meeting and that it is clear that the proposed development should not take place in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary or on the Sports Grounds.

Mr Joubert commented that public participation during the meeting is very important. He bases his report on the discussion process. It must be transparent and open. There is a huge lack regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment in the sense that no need for the project has been recorded or researched.

Prof Fanie Olivier said the Louis Trichardt Master plan of 2010 does not mention any business development in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary. The Town Council is clearly ignoring its own directives.

Mrs Inga Gilfillan asked the representative of Environmental Affairs whether any instructions or communication from the Town Council regarding this project has been received. Mr Maluleke answered that they have received nothing.

Mr Joubert said that all the objections that were received for the previous meeting would be recognised and taken into consideration when making recommendations for this project.

The meeting, which started at 12:00 on Friday, adjourned at 14:00.